Survivor 46: Who Won?

This article contains spoilers for the finale of Survivor 46.

Summary

• Maria was eliminated in a final standard tribal council, unable to beat Kenzie in the immunity challenge.
• Ben won the final immunity challenge, choosing Liz and Kenzie to compete in firemaking.
• Kenzie was voted the Sole Survivor, winning the $1 million prize by a vote of 5 to 3 against Charlie.

Survivor 46 has been an intense battle as the castaways tried to outwit, outplay, and outlast each other through challenges and social gameplay, but who won the $1 million grand prize and title of Sole Survivor? Throughout Survivor 46, there have been some historic moments that have set this cast of castaways apart from other seasons. From the Yanu tribe’s impressive streak of tribal council visits in the first stretch of episodes to the lack of immunity idols played in the final several tribal councils, the cast of Survivor 46 have proven that they can handle the most difficult gameplay.

While the final stretch of Survivor 46 episodes have served blindside after blindside, the finale episode brought the final five castaways into brand new territory. For Maria Shrime-Gonzalez, Charlie Davis, Liz Wilcox, Kenzie Petty, and Ben Katzman, the last two days of competition were physically and emotionally draining, even more so than the rest of their journey. As the game shook out, the final five shrunk to a final three who had to plead their case to the jury, leaving the power in the hands of those who the castaways had eliminated from the game. Who was the Sole Survivor?

Maria Was Eliminated At The Final Standard Tribal Council

During the first immunity challenge, Maria knew she had to take the win if she was going to make it further in the game. After Maria was blindsided during Survivor 46 episode 12 when her ally Q Burdette was sent home at tribal council, she had to pick up the pieces of her alliance with Charlie and try to rebuild. With the rest of the tribe against her, Maria knew the immunity challenge was a do or die moment for her game. Unfortunately, Maria wasn’t able to beat Kenzie, who had Liz helping her through the end of the challenge.

Though she figured the rest of the tribe would be voting her out at their final standard tribal council, Maria did her best to rally votes against Ben so that she could continue on in the game. Maria explained to Kenzie and Liz that she’s known Ben through the entire game and hasn’t trusted him at all. She tried to frame Ben as a lowkey player who would be able to swing the jury at the end of the day. Still, the rest of the tribe knew they couldn’t win the game against Maria and voted her out of Survivor.

Ben Chose Liz & Kenzie To Compete In Firemaking

At the final immunity challenge, it was clear that the castaways were struggling after over three weeks of living on the island of Fiji with little food and little rest. Ben, who has been struggling throughout the competition with night terrors and anxiety, was able to hone in on his game and focus enough to win the immunity challenge. Ben’s win guaranteed him entry into the final 3, but his win came with a major decision. Ben would have to choose who went on to the firemaking competition, along with which castaway would sit next to him in the final 3.

While Ben struggled with his decision on one hand, he was certain that Liz would be heading to firemaking. Kenzie and Charlie, however, were difficult for Ben to choose between. As Ben’s two closest allies in the game, Charlie and Kenzie have helped him in different areas of the competition. While Kenzie has helped Ben mentally throughout, Ben felt he had to honor his day one alliance with Charlie and sent Kenzie to firemaking with Liz. Though Kenzie’s confidence surrounding the firemaking was shaken, she was ultimately able to make a fire that built its way up and beat Liz.

Kenzie Was Voted The Sole Survivor & Won The $1 Million Grand Prize

The final 3 met with the jury comprised of Liz, Maria, Q, Venus Vafa, Tiffany Ervin, Hunter McKnight, Soda Thompson, Tevin Davis, who interrogated them about all aspects of the game. While the jury still had some misconceptions about the gameplay throughout the last days at camp, the final 3 were able to clear things up for them and make the cases about why they deserved to win the game. While Kenzie, Charlie, and Ben all gave gripping arguments about why they should win, the jury had to make a decision.

Each finalist was given thirty seconds to state their case, but the jurys questions were likely the biggest factor in determining the winner. The castaways all played their hardest throughout the season, but ultimately the decision was left up to the jury after their deliberation. After the votes were tallied, Kenzie won Survivor 46 by a vote of 5 for Kenzie, 3 for Charlie. While it appeared it could be a tie, Kenzie took the grand prize.

Survivor

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